CHIEF OF STRATEGY

Job summary

CHIEF OF STRATEGY

SALARY: £94,931- £117,800 Per Annum

LOCATION: Bristol(with flexible / hybrid working options)

CONTRACT TYPE: Open Ended (permanent)

HOURS: Full Time

CLOSING DATE: 22 February 26

PROPOSED INTERVIEW DATE: W/C 16 March 26

ABOUT RESEARCH ENGLAND

Research England, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), funds and supports research and knowledge exchange in English higher education institutions. We help create the conditions for a strong, globally competitive research and innovation system that benefits the economy, society, and the public.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This new senior leadership role strengthens Research England’s strategic capability and positions the organisation for the future. It leads high‑priority projects responding to challenges facing English higher education and drives organisational change in line with UKRI strategy, including integrating new responsibilities into Research England’s governance and operating models.

As Chief of Strategy, you will work with the Executive Chair, Council, and Senior Leadership Team to define and embed Research England’s long‑term direction while supporting key sector‑wide initiatives. This role is not only about setting vision but shaping the system, aligning internal and external priorities, and enabling strategic delivery at scale.

Job description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Organisational Direction

• Lead the development and delivery of Research England’s long‑term strategy, aligned with UKRI.
• Shape organisational direction to ensure agility, foresight, and long‑term impact.

Execution and Organisational Alignment

• Coordinate strategy across directorates to align intent with delivery.
• Remove barriers to progress and ensure clear, consistent decision‑making.

Strategic Insight, Evidence and Foresight

• Build strategic insight capability using data, research, and foresight to inform decisions and funding strategies.
• Lead horizon scanning, scenario planning, and impact evaluation.

Data and Evidence Strategy

• Strengthen the organisation’s ability to generate, analyse, and apply data and evidence for strategy, investment, and policy.
• Integrate data and evidence functions to improve coordination, governance, and impact reporting, including through external partnerships.

External Influence and System Engagement

• Deputise for the Executive Chair and represent Research England at senior levels across UKRI, government, and the sector.
• Build influential relationships to align organisational and system priorities.

Leadership Support and Delegated Authority

• Represent Research England in senior forums under delegated authority.
• Oversee cross‑organisational priority projects, enabling the Executive Chair to focus on system leadership.

Person specification

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience and Knowledge:

• Proven ability to shape and deliver organisational strategy, ideally with system‑wide transformation experience.
• Executive‑level responsibility for organisational change, including work within complex governance structures.
• Experience using data, evidence, and insights to improve system performance and reporting.
• Strong understanding of the UK research and innovation system, including funding, policy, and public value.
• In‑depth knowledge of sector challenges and of Research England’s role, priorities, and programmes.
• Senior expertise in university finance, administration, and research management, including REF and sector data use.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Exceptional strategic thinker able to navigate complexity and create clear direction.
• Strong relationship‑builder with senior leaders across government, academia, and funding bodies.

Leadership Style and Attributes:

Leads through influence and shared purpose, empowers others, and adapts confidently in complex, evolving environments.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £94,931, Research England contributes £27,501 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

INCENTIVES

UKRI can offer the successful candidate:

- Flexible Working

- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays

- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme

- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider

Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Please visit the UKRI website or use the link provided on this page

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : seniorrecruitment@ukri.org
• Email : seniorrecruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : seniorrecruitment@ukri.org